*** Welcome to piglix ***

Order of Infante D. Henrique

Order of Prince Henry
Ordem do Infante Dom Henrique
Ordem do Infante D. Henrique.jpg
Insignia of the order
Awarded by Flag of Portugal.svg Portuguese Republic
Type Order
Eligibility Portuguese and foreigners; military and civilian
Awarded for exceptional and outstanding merit for Portugal and its culture
Grand Master President of the Portuguese Republic
Grades Grand Collar
Grand Cross
Grand Officer
Commander
Officer
Knight
Statistics
Established 1960
Precedence
Next (higher) Order of Saint James of the Sword
Next (lower) Order of Liberty
PRT Order of Prince Henry - Knight BAR.png
Ribbon of the Order of Prince Henry

The Order of Prince Henry the Navigator (Portuguese: Ordem do Infante Dom Henrique) is a Portuguese National Order of Knighthood created on 2 June 1960, to commemorate the quincentenary of the death of the Infante Henry the Navigator (known in Portuguese as Henrique), fifth son of King John I of Portugal and his queen, Philippa of Lancaster. Minor reforms of the constitution of the Order occurred in 1962 and 1980.

It is a five-tier order, whose titles are awarded for relevant services to Portugal and for services in the expansion of the Portuguese culture, its history and its values (with a particular focus on its maritime history). The number of members in each grade is restricted by its constitution, and titles are attributed by special decree by the Grand Master of the Order, i.e., the President of the Republic of Portugal.

The order includes several classes; in decreasing order of seniority, these are:

There is also a Silver Medal (Medalha de Prata - MedPIH) and a Gold Medal (Medalha de Ouro - MedOIH).

The special distinction of Grand Collar can be awarded only to heads of state.

Ribbons and medals are characterized by equal stripes of blue, white and black (either horizontal or vertical) and a ruby-enameled golden cross pattée. The stars of Grand Officer and Grand Cross bear the inscription "Talant de bien faire".

Membership to the Order is conferred by the President, either on his own initiative, upon the recommendation of his Ministers or following nomination by the Council of the Order.


...
Wikipedia

...